Reggie McKenzie on Johnny Manziel: He’s a playmaker, that’s what you shoot for

Posted by Josh Alper on January 16, 2014, 5:42 PM EDT

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The Raiders will be picking fifth overall in this year’s draft and their perceived need for a quarterback is going to lead to a lot of speculation about them coming away with one of the top collegiate signal callers.

One of the players on that list is 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel and General Manager Reggie McKenzie was asked about him during a meeting with reporters on Thursday. McKenzie avoided ranking Manziel in relation to other possibilities, but said was the kind of quarterback you try to get.

“He’s a playmaker,” McKenzie said, via Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com. “Whether it’s him or one of these other guys, when you can add a playmaker, that’s what you shoot for.”

McKenzie touched on other offseason decisions as well, identifying running back Rashad Jennings, left tackle Jared Veldheer, defensive lineman LaMarr Houston and safety Charles Woodson as impending free agents he will be trying to bring back to Oakland. McKenzie also said that he expects running back Darren McFadden to test the free agent market and the Raiders’ willingness to let him do so likely means the former first-round pick has played his last game for the team.

Its great to know that Baby Davis” puppet master Mckenzie understands that the Raiders need a quarterback, he personally ran Carson off, and brought back in the Green Bay reject Flynn, and look how that worked out.
If the Raiders want Johnny Football, then they are going to have to move up in the draft. ESPN

reported that they were going to use their first pick on a receiver, and go after a QB in the second Round, by that time, all of top 4 QBs will be gone. Be proactive for once Reggie, or stay ignoranant. We need a good QB now

Doesn’t anyone here remember Tebo? This guy is smaller, not blazing speed and mediocre arm strength. At best he could be a Poor Man’s Russell Wilson… And I mean broke poor. Wilson is a winner and has a very good throwing motion with accuracy. Johnny Football will be the 3rd Drafted QB maybe top still 5 pick and will sell tickets for a losing team, but will suffer ultimately be more like RGIII and have 6 bad games for every one good one in the NFL game.

piratesofthecoliseum says:Jan 16, 2014 6:55 PM

Yeah cuz ESPN is always right on point with those mock drafts especially in January! Get real bro

Build inside to out, ie, line first. No QB will last without a solid, at least B grade line. We have not had one. Same for Defensive side of ball….taking Haden was a poor risk, esp when DT was on board.

It’s alot of good QB’s N this draft… So basically what my RAIDERS need is a pass rusher… Perhaps Clowney , Barr Or Mack…we’re N the AFC where they bomb first, than ask questions later.. The AFC west R loaded with QB’s that will shred ur defense apart. So pass rush is what we need most…GO RAIDERS!!!!!

They don’t need a qb with their first pick. Just look at How many 1st round qbs are playing this weekend. One!!! Fix the d Reggie. The o will be fine.

lostsok says:Jan 16, 2014 10:21 PM

The Raiders need a full year with a better roster to fully evaluate McGolin and Pryor. Putting a kid behind that line would be a wasted investment.

Get Clowney, Matthews or one of the impact linemen (Kahlil is flying up the boards), and more cornerstone guys in rounds 2-3, and add a couple quality guys in free agency.

By this time next year the Raiders WILL know if they truly need a new QB.

Johnny Manziel in Oakland is a recipe for disaster. He has skill, but he’s a great COLLEGE QB, with off-field question marks.

He’s a short JaMarcus Russell.

nflofficeadmin says:Jan 17, 2014 7:18 AM

LOL Manziel. Johnny Football is more like Johnny Rockets. This kid will be working for his daddy in 4 years.

open1337 says:Jan 17, 2014 12:10 PM

Resign Veldeer and Houston. Need pass rusher depth. We need Guards, plural. That offensive line is nothing without the V-Man. Either draft or get after free agents, but I want that opposing QB on his ass!

open1337 says:Jan 17, 2014 12:22 PM

Getting standout tackle Jared Veldheer back on the field will be a boost — he tore his triceps back in August and was placed on IR with a designation to return. He should reclaim his left tackle spot, pushing out Khalif Barnes. Tony Pashos, a surprisingly effective starter at right tackle, also missed time with an injury.

The run totals and sack totals have been aided and hurt by QB Terrelle Pryor, respectively. Oakland is fifth in the league at 143 rushing yards per game, inflated by the 60-plus yards Pryor has averaged. Meanwhile, Pryor’s indecisiveness in the pocket has helped cause a healthy dose of the team’s 36 sacks allowed. Twenty-nine of those have come with Pryor at QB, including nine in a loss to Kansas City.